| Little Birdie Secrets

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

LEGO JUNIORS

I have got three serious LEGO lovers at my house. I loved playing with LEGOS as a kid too and I am happy to see my kids experience the same fun. I think LEGOS are great and offer fun construction play that inspires children to make things at an early age to help build self-confidence and creative thinking skills. Sometimes my older boys get upset at their younger brother for trying to mess with their LEGOS or break what they have built. It is hard because my 4 year old just wants to play, but sometimes in trying to build he actually ends up messing up the older boys' creations.

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Friday, August 22, 2014

naturebox snacks for back to school {special offer!}

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Are you all back to school yet? We have a couple more weeks before we begin but I am already stocking up on everything I need for school lunches and snacks. One of the biggest jobs of back to school is getting back into the routine of making lunches. It is always a challenge of finding healthy options that are also quick and convenient. Life is busy, so I got to make it easy on myself! I want my kids to be able to have variety and not get bored of snacks and lunches.

I recently tried NatureBox and was really happy with it. NatureBox delivers a world of carefully sourced and nutritionist-approved foods right to your door. Talk about convenience!

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Monday, August 18, 2014

swiffer big green box

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Anyone else have a hard time keeping up with your house cleaning? I know I do! I love a clean house, so that's not the issue. The issue is finding the time to get everything cleaned up and keeping it clean with 3 boys in the house (4 if you count the husband)! It's just a reality of having kids, they are messy! I try to deep clean as often as I can, but often times there is just time for a quick clean up.

Enter my friends at Swiffer. Have you seen their big green box commercials? I love them. I love seeing people get those boxes and get so excited about some simple tools to clean their homes. I am a big fan of Swiffer products. And lucky for me...I recently got my own big green box!

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Friday, August 15, 2014

Gummy VItamins in Disney and Marvel Shapes {NatureSmart}

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This post was sponsored by NBTY through their partnership with Circle of Moms by POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by Circle of Moms by POPSUGAR to write a post about NatureSmart Vitamins, all opinions are my own.

With three boys in my house life can get pretty hectic, especially in summer. We are often out having fun at the beach or pool and playing for long hours each day! Sometimes I am too exhausted to cook dinner on those nights, or we are rushing off to another activity so we grab takeout or I whip up something really quick. I always try to include some fruits and veggies but let’s be honest, sometimes it is just hard to ensure my kids are getting all the vitamins they need. My doctor has recommended giving vitamins to my boys and then when they are picky about certain foods I can still feel good that they are getting what they need.

Vitamins can be kind of yucky tasting though and it can be hard to get your kids to eat them! My boys love Disney and Marvel so when I saw Gummy Vitamins in Disney and Marvel shapes, I was super excited to try them out!

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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Q's race to the top game {emotional intelligence}

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This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and EQtainment, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #Qsracetothetop http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

One of my family's favorite things to do is play games together! We love it and I love that it really bonds and we have so many great laughs and fun times when we play. I got to try out a really fun game recently called Q's Race to the Top and I am excited to introduce you to this great game company.

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Wednesday, July 30, 2014

muppets party hats {tutorial}

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This post is written as part of a sponsored campaign with The Blueprint Social and Disney.

My boys love the Muppets and have anxiously been awaiting the release of the Muppets Most Wanted movie. I decided it would be fun to throw a little movie party and have the kids help make some crafts to celebrate!

These party hats were really easy to make and the kids love them! You just need to get some party hats, construction paper and embellishments.

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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

starburst sorbet bars {and a giveaway!}

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It is summer and what is one of the best parts about summer?! The BBQs! We always love having BBQs in the summer and spending our evenings with friends. It is fun to cook outside and enjoy the lovely weather. I am always on the lookout for refreshing treats to serve up to my guests that both kids and adults will enjoy and that are also easy! I heard about these new STARBURST™ Brand Sorbet Bars and I had to try them out!

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Friday, July 11, 2014

Montagne Jeunesse Renew You Sleep Spa Masks {giveaway}

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Does anyone else feel like your skin takes a real beating in summer? I sure do. I try to take good care of my skin by washing every morning and night and staying well hydrated. That can get even harder in the summer months because it is really hot and I am on the go so much. I also feel like with all the sweat and sun and applying so much sunscreen all day can really take a toll on my poor skin.

I had the opportunity to try out Montagne Jeunesse Renew You Sleep Spa Mask which is a 100% natural bamboo mask. I was really excited to try the sleep mask because face masks offer a deep-down action that helps nourish, cleanse, remove impurities, keep skin healthy and vibrant as well as adds essential nutrients to your skin. I really need that!! I tried the fruit enzyme mask which let me tell you...smells amazing! Depending on the mask you choose to use, it can help to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores so toning, hydrating and protecting products work more effectively.

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Saturday, June 21, 2014

Extraordinary Kid {make your own video!}

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In a few weeks I am going to have a 10 year old! I cannot believe my oldest will be in the double digits. That makes me feel pretty old, but at the same time I am so happy with how much he has learned and grown over the years. It is something extraordinary to watch your kids develop and mature and see who they become.

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Tuesday, June 3, 2014

easy & delicious sugar cookie bars {recipe}

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I've been waiting for an event to make these amazing sugar cookie bars for so I could post the recipe since I cannot be trusted with a whole pan of these in my house! My darling niece was baptized this weekend, so I offered to bring a dessert. This dessert. The easiest, most delicious sugar cookie dessert ever. Without all the rolling, cutting, frosting that make regular sugar cookies an ordeal. My mom's to-die-for sugar cookie bars.

After mixing a few ingredients together, you simply spread the dough out in a jelly roll pan and bake them. Then frost the entire pan and cut into squares. How much easier does it get? I added little sour cherry balls to this batch, but they are just as pretty alone with soft pink frosting.

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Wednesday, May 21, 2014

slimfast to swimsuit season

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This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Slimfast, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #14daystoslim http://mydisclosur.es/OBsstV

Are you all ready for Summer? I am! I am excited to get out to the beach and have some lazy sun-filled summer days. You just cannot beat Summer in the PNW. It is gorgeous and the weather is perfect. Which means I will be spending a lot of time in my swimsuit. My swimsuit and I are not really the best of friends. I mean, I love it because it means it is time to go to the beach and lounge in the sun, but squeezing myself into it and checking myself out in the mirror is not so fun.

With only about a month or two until I am wearing my swimsuit almost full time, I decided to gear myself up. Enter Slimfast.

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Monday, May 5, 2014

keeping your summer treats clean {with WetNap}

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This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and WetNap but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #showusyourmess http://mydisclosur.es/OBsstV

Summer is headed our way and that means some fun treats are too! At least to me it does...
Amongst all of the summer fun that my family indulges in, we also indulge in certain summer treats as a tradition.

In August, we go to my parents' home every year for the county fair and to spend our time at their ranch with hayrides, bonfires, watermelon picking and eating and all sorts of summer fun! Between the dirt and the treats, and three little boys, we can create quite the mess! I always bring my trusty Wet-Nap products along so I don't have to worry about it!

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Thursday, May 1, 2014

key lime pie-lets {recipe}

When I need a delicious, refreshing summer dessert, this key lime pie has become my go-to recipe since my mom shared it with me. I usually make a 9-inch pie with it, but recently I needed something easier to serve for a dessert buffet, so I changed it up and made mini key lime pies, or "pielets." {Cutest name ever, by the way.}

No one would believe me when I told them how easy this recipe is. It's a little scary how easy it is, actually. I can make it anytime I want. .

Key Lime Pie Recipe

(Makes 1 - 9 inch pie or about 10 mini pies)

1 - 9 inch pre-made graham cracker pie crust OR about 10 Keebler Ready Crust mini graham pie crusts

3 cups sweetened condensed milk (I used just under 3 - 14 oz. cans)

1/2 cup sour cream (I used fat-free and it tasted just as good as the full fat sour cream! I cannot recommend reduced-fat sour cream--I haven't tried it but the consistency is usually different from full fat or fat-free)

1 Tbsp. grated lime zest

3/4 cup key lime juice

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

Combine all ingredients and blend well. Spoon filling into pie crust(s). Place pies on baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until filling is set. Do not brown. Chill completely in refrigerator. Garnish with whipped cream and a lime slice before serving.

Hints & Tips

When it comes to the key lime juice (don't try using regular lime juice--it won't be tart enough), I prefer to use a bottled juice rather than squeeze a million of those tiny key limes. This Nellie & Joe's brand key lime juice is my fave.

Nellie and Joe's key lime juice and some key limes

I found these mini graham cracker pie crusts in the baking aisle at Walmart. Adorable.

keebler ready crust graham mini pie crusts in package

I used about 1/4 cup pie filling for each mini pie crust.

pouring key lime pie filling into mini crusts

Place your pies on a baking sheet before putting them in the oven.

I sliced a lime and made a small cut halfway into the slice so I could twist them and set them on top of the whipped topping.

So regular whipped cream is absolutely dreamy on these, but I tried a coconut-flavored whipped cream with these and it was pretty amazing, too!

Coconut Whipped Cream Recipe

1 cup heavy whipping cream

3 Tbsp. powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. imitation coconut flavoring

Whip all ingredients in mixer until stiff peaks form. If you don't want to use coconut flavoring, increase vanilla to 1 full teaspoon.

To dress up your pielets, try slipping them into a cupcake wrapper, like these cute ones I found at Pick Your Plum.

http://tracking.pickyourplum.com/aff_c?offer_id=2&aff_id=1112

If you love lime and coconut like me, don't miss this recipe for Coconut Lime Cupcakes that I served at a Cinco de Mayo party!

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

martha stewart enamel paints {jewelry}

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I saw this Martha Stewart enamel paint in the jewelry aisle at Michael's the other day and wondered what it was. Then I saw they are featuring it in the January/February 2014 issue of Martha Stewart Living, which you can find on newsstands now. These are a few examples of brass jewelry painted with Martha's new paints. Check out the full article online for more ideas, links to buy the jewelry blanks, and full instructions. These would make fun Valentine's gifts!